Goats Worrying About Anatolian Shepherd 'Who Rolled Over' for Belly Rubs Are Just the Sweetest

Goats are so nosy. If you've ever met a goat, you know that they waste absolutely no time getting all up in your business, even if they have no idea who you are. That's all the more reason for them to try and figure you out.

Don't feel too special, though: even their family they've known for years aren't immune to the nosiness. Recently, when she was simply trying to beg her mom for a belly rub, one Anatolian Shepherd became something almost every goat on the farm  fussed over. It's the funniest thing:

Raventree Ranch is home to several livestock guardian dogs, but we honestly don't get to see Lily that much. Bo and Judge steal the show from her!

Related: Anatolian Shepherd's Epic Zoomies Are an Immediate Mood Booster

Lilly is the only girl LGD on Raventree Ranch. She has two brothers: Bo and Judge, and they both have their own little quirks. For example, Judge is secretly obsessed with a little Border Collie pup named Ru, while Bo is basically a goat magnet. Lily's more content just to do her job, eat snacks, and take naps.

Dogs will be dogs, though, and sometimes they need belly rubs. While lying upside down and enjoying the sunshine, waiting for someone to come rub her belly, she garnered quite an audience. The whole herd of nosy goats seemed worried that she keeled over - but they knew better than to touch her. Rumor has it they're still gossiping!

Do Livestock Guardian Dogs Like to be Pet?

Commonly, people think that livestock guardian dogs are kind of like feral cats: they don't want to be touched. They live on the farm and they work, but they're not dogs in the way we know most dogs to be.

It's not true. While livestock guardian dogs can definitely be a little territorial and defensive (which is a good thing), you should still be able to handle them if you need to, which can include petting. If you train them to trust and allow you to get close, a livestock guardian dog can learn to love being pet just like any other dog. They can even enjoy belly rubs!

If you want to give your LGD a nice pet, you should make sure:

1. They hear you coming. Don't sneak up on them.
2. They're not actively "on guard" (pet only in daylight hours).
3. Avoid "riling them up" by slapping, aggressively rubbing, or yelling.

The best way to make sure you and your working pup will have a great petting experience is to do everything you can to make it pleasant. Bring some treats. Sit on the ground. Scratch their favorite spots (don't worry. Like Lily, they'll usually show you where those spots are!).